Typewriter-lifting device



Aug. 7, 1956 Filed Juna 27, 1952 B. C. DE LYLE TYPEWRITER-LIFTING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1956 B. c. DE LYLE 2,757,999

TYPEWRITER-LIFTING DEVICE Filed June 27, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent.

2,757,999 Patented Aug. 7, 1956 TYPEWRITERLIFTING DEVIGE Burton C. De Lyle, Grand Rapids, Mich;

Application June27, 1952, Serial No. 295,939

14 Claims. (Cl. 3-1=2=-=-29 Thisinvention relates to new and useful'improvernent's in typewriter-lifting devices for mounting a typewriter in thepedestal of a desk or the. like.

An important object of the present invention is toprovide a typewriter-lifting device that maintains the typewriter in' a horizontal position at all times, thus eliminating the necessity of anchoring the typewriter tothe device and obviating a tendency for the'typewriter to get out of line'when left in an inverted position.

Another object of the invention is to provide: a typewriter-lifting device that can be moved easily and quickly between the open and closed positions and which're quires a minimum of effort on' the part of the operator.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a typewriter-lifting device that can be locked securely and rigidly in the open position. to eliminate most of? the vibration and sway inherent in conventional devices of thi's type.

Yet another object of' the invention is to provide a typewriter-lifting devicethat can be easily and: quickly installed or removed from thefro'nt ofthe desk without necessitating removal of the top or other parts of" the desk:

A still" further object of the invention is to provide a typewriter lifting device in which the" carrier which supports the typewriter automatically tiltsdownwardly as it is pushed'back into thepe'destal of the desk so as to prevent the carriage" from inadvertently moving forwardly to the open position" when the typewriter is. not' in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

Iirthe drawings forming a part of this specification and wherein like numerals are employed to. designate likeparts throughout the same: Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing. a typewriter-lifting device embodying the invention mounted in the pedestal of adesk;

Fig. Zis an'enlar'gcd, fragmentary, verticaL sectional view' taken" on" the line 2-2" of Fig. 1 illustrating the typewritenlifting, device in' the down or lowered position; 3' is a vertical, sectional view taken on the line 3'-3'of Fig. 2;

Fig; 4 is a fragmentary, verticah sectional view taken on th'eline 4-4ofFig. 2; Fig; 5' is a fragmentary, transverse, vertical, sectional view takenon theline55'of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, vertical; sectional view taken on the line 6-6'-of Fig. 5; A Fig. Tisa View similar toFig: 2 but'illustratingi'tlie typewriter-liftingdevice in an up or raise'd posit'ion; and Fig. 8 is a horizontal; sectional view takenon the line ii 8 of Fig. 7.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration' is shown a preferredembodiment of the invention,

the numeral 10 designates a conventional stenograpliersdesk having the usual pedestal. 12 at one side thereof- (Fig? l). The open front ofthe pedstal 1'2"normall y is closed" by a" hinged door or panel 14 according to conventional practice and the interior of the pedestal is suf ficiently' large to accommodate the typewrtier-lifting device of the invention and a typewriter mounted thereon.

According to the present invention the typewriter is placed on and supported by a platform carrier 16 here shown in the form of a generally rectangular board. The carrier 16* is narrower than the front opening of the pedestal 1-2 so that it can be moved into and out of the pedestalin a horizontal position, as shown in Fig: 1. Also, the longitudinal dimension of the carrier 16 is such that it can be entirely accommodated in horizontal position within the pedestal 12. Of course, it is essential that the carrier 16 be large enough' to receive and support a conventional typewrit'ing machine and the-pedestal l 2"must be large enough to accommodate a typewriter disposed on the carrier. It is not contemplated that any means" he provided for fastening or anchoring the typewriter to the carrier 16 as the latter is maintained in a flat, horizontal position at all times.

In practice, the carrier 16 is pulled forwardly out of the pedestal 12 while in a horizontal position and the typewriter, of course, moves out with it. When the carrier Ifireaches an extreme forward position, it and the typewriter supportedthereby are disposed entirely exteriorly of the pedestal 12? As the platform reaches a fully advanced position'the mechanisrrr ofthis' invention operates to lift the carrier vertically while maintaining it horizontal; and as the carrier rises, the typewriter is lifted to an elevated position for convenient operation by a person seated at the desk 10. Since the'typewriter is not fastened to the carrier 16, its position or orientation on theplatform can be shifted as required for maximunrconvenience in use. I

The mechanism for operating the carrier 16 includes a" pairof vertical channels 18 disposed at opposite'sides of the pedestal 12 and just inside the front'opening thereof. The upper end of each channel 18" is welded or otherwise fixedto a mounting plate 22 and thelower end thereof is similarly fixed to a mounting plate 24 The two 'plates 22 and 24strengthen and' reinforce the channels 18, and as the carrier 16 and appendages thereof travel upand down in the channels, it is essentialto provide a strong, rigid structure. Screws 26, 28; and 30 fasten each upper plate 22 to the wooden structure of the desk 10, and a single screw 32 fastens each lower plate 24 thereto. These four screws at each side of the device constitute the sole means fastening the mecha nism to the desk. Thus, the entire device can be easily removed from or inserted into the desk as a unit. It is further significant in this connection that the entire device can be easily and readily installed through the from opening of the pedestal 12 and without requiring removal of the top or other parts-of the desk.

Bearingfplates-34 are provided at opposite sides of the carrier 16" and a pair of vertically spacedrollers 36" and 37 are mounted on the outer sides of each plate. These bearings 36'a nd 37 travel up and'down in ways defined by the channels 18; As perhaps best shown in'Fig. 2, the bearing plates 34 extend below the carrier 16, and thedepending portions thereof are rigidly interconnected by' tie rods 38"and 39which maintain the plates properly spaced and in proper operative relation to the channels 18;

A horizontal channel 40 is welded or otherwise fixed to theinner face of each bearing plate 34, The two channels 40 thus provided at each side of the pedestal 12 face' inwardly to define horizontal ways, and-the channels are arranged in confronting relation and in the same horizontal plane. A tiebar 42 interconnecting the inner or rear-wardends of the channels 40maintains themin-uniform spaced relation for the full length ther'eof.

The platform carrier 16 is adapted to travel back and forth in a horizontal plane between the channels 40. To-

this end a pair of supporting bars 44 is afiixed to the underside of the carrier 16 at opposite sides thereof. These bars 44 extend rearwardly equidistantly from the carrier 16 and the projecting portions thereof carry mounting brackets 46. Each bracket 46 is provided at the outer side thereof with a pair of horizontally spaced rollers 48 and 50 and the rollers are disposed in and movable along respective ways defined by the channels 40. Mounting brackets 46 are fastened to the bars 44 in any suitable manner as by the studs 52 and nu s 54.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that the platform carrier 16 can be pushed back and forth in a horizontal plane on the rollers 48 which travel in ways defined by the channels 46. Also, the platform carrier 16 can be moved vertically up and down without disturbing its horizontal position or orientation by means of the rollers 36 and 37 which travel in ways defined by the channels 18. When the platform carrier 16 is fully advanced and at the upper limit of its travel, as shown in Fig. 7, it positions a typewriter supported thereon for convenient use. On the other hand, when the platform carrier 16 is full lowered and in the rearmost position on the horizontal channels 46 both the carrier and the typewriter disposed thereon are maintained entirely within the pedestal 12.

In this connection, it should perhaps be pointed out that some clearance between the rollers 36 and 37 and the vertical ways defined by channels 18 is necessary in order to assure free and unrestricted vertical movement of the device, and this clearance is utilized by the present construction and arrangement of parts to prevent the typewriter, when stored within the pedestal 12, from inadvertently running forwardly out of the pedestal. Specifically, it will be observed that when the carrier 16 is fully advanced as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the weight of the typewriter disposed thereon holds the upper rollers 36 against the forward sides or flanges of the channels 18 and the lower rollers 37 against the rearward sides or flanges of the channels. The arrangement is such that when the device is thus positioned, the carrier 16 and the channels 40 are essentially horizontal. However, as the carrier 16 with the typewriter thereon is pushed into the pedestal 12, the center of gravity of the unit moves rearwardly. When the center of gravity moves behind the rollers 36 and 37 the action reverses, and the upper rollers 36 are pressed against the rearward or inner flanges of the channels 18 while the lower rollers 37 are pressed against the outer or forward flanges thereof. This causes the channels 46 to dip or incline downwardly and the carrier 16 thereafter moves at a slight downward angle into the pedestal 12. Manifestly, the weight of the carrier 16 and of the typewriter thereafter holds the channels 40 in the downwardly inclined position and effectively prevents the carrier from inadvertently running forward in the pedestal.

A typewriter is a relatively heavy piece of equipment and it is desirable to have some means to assist in raising it from the lowered position to a raised position. This is accomplished according to the present invention by a spring-operated unit 56 having tapes 58 at opposite sides thereof, the tapes being provided at the lower ends thereof with loops 60 detachably connected to hooks 62 formed integrally on the bearing plates 34.

The spring unit 56 is a feature of the invention and a detailed description thereof is now given. Specifically, the unit 56 comprises a shaft 64 having laterally elongated mounting elements 66 fixed to opposite ends thereof and disposed in retaining brackets 67 fastened to the upper mounting plates 22 (Fig. 1). The mounting elements 66 here shown are in the form of generally rectangular bars or plates. A pair of roller bearings 66 (Fig. 6) are mounted on the shaft 64 adjacent the ends thereof and a tubular casing 70 fits over the outer races of the bearings. Thus, the casing 70 is free to turn around the shaft 64 on bearings 68. Mounted within the tubular casing and around the shaft 64 is a torsion spring 72, the latter being fastened at one end to a mounting 74 which is fixed to the shaft by a cross pin 76 and at the other end thereof to a mounting 78 which is fixed to the casing by an annular series of screws 80. Inasmuch as the mounting 74 is fixed to the shaft 64 and the mounting 78 is fixed to the casing 70, rotation of the casing in one direction winds up the torsion spring 72. As perhaps best shown in Fig. 5, the tapes 58 are wrapped around the casing 70 in superposed relation with respect to the bearing 63.

The manner in which the tapes 58 are formed and affixed to the casing 70 also is a feature of the invention. In this connection, it will be observed that the inner ends of the tapes 53 are bent back upon themselves as at 82 (Fig. 5), and the reversely bent portions are inserted through slots provided in the casing 70 and into correspondingly shaped recesses located in the outer races of the bearing 68. Thus, to install the tapes it is merely necessary to insert the reversely bent ends thereof into the recesses provided in the bearings and to hook the loops 60 onto the hooked portion 62.

The spring 72 preferably is preloaded so as to automatically take up any slack in the tapes. Manifestly, the spring 72 exerts a force tending to raise the carrier 16. If desired, the spring 72 may be strong enough to raise the carriage 72 and the weight of the typewriter, or it may be just strong enough so that it will not raise the loaded carriage by itself but will permit the carriage to be easily raised with very little effort. In either event, the spring 72 preferably is preloaded so that it exerts a lifting force on the carrier at all times between the fully lowered and fully raised positions.

Suitable means such as the stops 84 are provided to limit upward movement of the carrier 16. In the form of the invention here shown, the stops 84 are in the form of angle brackets fastened to the upper mounting plates 22 immediately below the spring assembly 56. One flange of the angle brackets extends horizontally inwardly from the mounting plates 22 so as to overlie the rearwardly extending arms 44 of the carrier 16. The latter may be raised until the arms 44 engage the overhanging flanges of the angle brackets which then limit further upward movement of the carrier.

This particular spring arrangement has a number of advantages. For one thing, the spring 72 is entirely enclosed so that it cannot injure anyone or cause any damage in the event it breaks. Thus, the enclosed spring 72 constitutes an important safety feature. This is particularly significant when it is considered that the spring is relatively strong and is heavily loaded when the car rier 16 is lowered. Another advantage of this particular construction is that each of the tapes 58 can be made to an exact length at the factory when the inner end 82 is bent back upon itself. This offers ready assurance that all of the tapes 58 will be exactly the same length. Obviously, it is necessary that both of the tapes 58 be exactly the same length in order that they act equally on the carrier 16 and in order that the carrier 16 be maintained exactly horizontal at all times. Thus, in the event a tape 58 breaks, it may be readily replaced by a stock part, and the new tape will be exactly the same length as the old one with which it is associated. Also, the particular manner in which the tape is fastened to the casing 70 makes it relatively easy to install a new tape.

It is desirable to preload the spring unit 56 at the factory in order to assure that the spring 72 exerts exactly the right lifting force on the platform carrier 16. Also, it is necessary that the spring 72 be given a particular preload, depending upon the weight of the typewriter to be used with the device. Manifestly, the spring 72 must be given a difierent preload force if it is to be used in connection with a heavy electric typewriter than if it is to be used in connection with a relatively lighter weight typewriter. To this end, the mounting element 66 adjacent the end of the casing 70 which carries the screws is provided with an inturned flange 86 which carries a thumb screw 88 disposed to engage the head of one of the screws 80. As suggested, a plurality of screws 80 are provided around the casing 70 so that the thumb screw 88 can be brought into engagement with one or the other of the screws with relatively little angular movement or backing off of the casing 70. In practice the spring 72 is given the required amount of preload by rotating the casing 70 on the shaft 64 in a direction to Wind up the spring with the thumb screw 88 retracted to clear the screws 80. When the desired amount of preload has been given spring 72, thethumb screw 88 is advanced into the path of travel of the screws 80. When thus positioned the thumb screw 88 engages the adjacent screw 80 to prevent unwinding of the casing 70. The spring unit may then be installed in situ and the tapes 58 fastened to the bearing plates 34. Thereafter, the thumb screw 88 is backed away to disengage screws 80 and the spring unit is set for operation with the requisite amount of preload.

It is also a feature of this invention that the retaining brackets 67 are generally channel shaped so that the mounting elements 66 can be engaged with the brackets 67 simply by sliding them in-between the flanges of the brackets through the open ends thereof. Also, it is a feature of the invention that the fastening screws 28 are disposed directly in front and in close proximity to the open ends of the brackets 67 through which the mounting elements are inserted. Further, the heads of screws 28 project from the mounting plate to prevent withdrawal of the mounting elements 66. Thus the screws 28 have to be removed in order to install the spring unit. After the spring unit has been installed, the screws 28 are reinserted and thereafter prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the unit. Conversely, by disconnecting the tapes 58 from the bearing plates 34 and removing screws 28, the spring unit can be removed as a unit for replacement, for repair, or for disassembly of the device. When this is done, it is of course necessary to advance the thumb screw 88 to prevent unwinding of the casing 70 and attending loss of the preload spring adjustment.

It is of course necessary to provide means for preventing the spring unit 56 from raising the platform carrier 16 when the latter is disposed within the desk pedestal 12 as this would damage the typewriter supported thereon and be otherwise undesirable. To this end a pair of pivoted latches 90 are provided at the lower ends of the vertical ways 18 and these latches engage over the lower flanges of the lower channels 40 when the carriage K 16 is fully lowered to hold the latter in this position. In the particular form of the invention shown, the lower mounting plates 24 have inwardly offset flanges 92 to which the latches 90 are pivotally attached at 94. Springs 96 are fastened at one end to a fixed part of the pivot 94 and the other ends of the springs extend around the backs of the latches, as shown in Fig. 7, so that the springs constantly urge the latches inwardly. Stops in the form of laterally bent tabs 98 on the latches 90 engage the supporting flange 92 to limit inward movement of the latches 90 and to position the same in the path of travel of the horizontal channels 40. In this connection, it will be observed that the latches 90 are formed with beveled cam surfaces 100 which are engaged by the lower flanges of the channels 40 as the platform carrier 16 approaches the fully lowered position, and engagement of the flanges with the cam surfaces pivots the latches outwardly. This action proceeds until the engaging flanges move below the shoulders 102 of the latches. When this occurs, the springs 94 snap the latches inwardly over the lower flanges of the channels 40 so as to hold the platform carrier 16 in the down position. This latter action of the latches 90 may be prevented temporarily by the forward roller bearings 48 which travel in the channels 40. However, as soon as the platform carrier 16 is pushed rearwardly even a" slight amount the bearings 48 move inwardly sufficiently to permit the latches '90 to engage channels 40. Thus, in order to house the platform carrier 16 in the pedestals 12, it is necessary to push it down to the fullylowered position and, when fully lowered, to simultaneously push it backwardly into the pedestal. This action causes the latches 90 automatically to engage the channels 40-to hold the carrier 16 in the fully lowered position.

It is also necessary to provide some means for preventing the platform carrier 16 from being pushed back'into the pedestal 12 when the carrier is fully or partially. raised, as this would damage the typewriter andperhaps' push it from the pedestal onto the floor. This object is accomplished by rollers 104 on the forward ends of the mounting brackets 46, which rollers travel in ways defined by channels 105 during vertical movement of the carrier 16. As perhaps best shown in Fig- 1, two channels 105 are provided one at each side of the pedestal 12 in front of and parallel to respective channels 18, and the upper and lower terminal portions of the channels 105 are welded or otherwise fastened to the mounting plates 22 and-24. Manifestly engagement of the rollers 104 with the inner flanges of the channels 105 effectively preventthe carrier 16 from being pushed into the pedestal. However,-as shown in Fig. 2, the inner flanges of channels 105-terminate above the rollers 104 when the carrier 16 is fully lowered so that the restraining flanges release the rollers as the carrier reaches the lower limit of its travel whereby the carrier can be pushed rearwardly into the pedestal 12 when and only when it occupies this particular fully lowered position.

In addition, the rollers 104 function to prevent raising of the platform carrier 16 when the latter isrolled forwardly out of the pedestal 12 preparatory to raising it to the operative position. It will be readily apparent that the latches 90 hold the carrier in the'down position until they are engaged by the front roller bearings 48. These roller bearings 48 push the latches forwardly until they release the channels 40 as the carrier approaches the forward limit of its travel out of the pedestal 12. However, even though the catches release an instant before the carrier 16 is fully forward, the latter is prevented from rising by the rollers 104 which engage upwardly against the inner flanges 'of chanels 105, and the carrier is positively prevented from rising until the rollers 104 move forwardly into the ways defined by'the chanels 105. As the rollers 104' move forwardly into the ways the front bearings 48 hold-the latches 90 released; and, as soon as the bearings 104 move into register with the ways in channels 105, the carrier 16 can be raised. As the carrier 16 moves up and down between the fully raised and fully lowered positions the rollers 104 operate in the channels 105 to guideand steady the carrier.

In order to hold the platform carrier 16 positivelyin the fully raised position, a latch mechanismis provided which clamps the carrier solidly to the stops 84. Specifically, this mechanism comprises a pair of hollow tubular elements 106 on opposite ends of a connecting bar 108. The elements 106 rest upon respective bars 44 at the inner ends of the latter. Depending tabs 110 formed integrally on the elements 106 extend downwardly along the sides of the bars 44 and are securely fastened thereto by screws 112. Thus, the screws 112 fasten the latching assembly securely to the bars44- which carry the platform carrier 16. A lever 114 is pivoted at 116 to the connecting bar 108 at substantially the middle thereof, and the lever extends substantial distances in opposite directions from the pivot, as perhaps best shown in Fig. 1. Links 118 and 120 pivoted to the lever 114 on opposite sides of the pivot 116 extend in opposite directions from the lever and pivotaliy connect at the outer ends thereof with-cam bars 122 and 124 slidably disposed within and retained by re spective elements 106. A manuallyoperable handle 4-26 is provided on the outer end of the lever 114.

. arms 44 solidly against the abutments. should be relatively slight to effect a secure locking action When the handle 126 is moved to the left as viewed in Fig. 1, the latch bars 122 and 124 are retracted entirely within the elements 106 (Fig. 4), and when the handle is moved to the right as vewed in Fig. l the latch bars are projected outwardly from the elements 106 (Fig. 8). The latch bars 122 and 124 are retracted when the platform carrier 16 is stored within the pedestal 12 or during movement thereof between raised and lowered position. However, when the platform carrier is fully raised against the abutments 84, the latch bars 122 and 124 are advanced to overlie the abutments. As shown in Fig. 3, the undersurfaces of the cam bars are beveled slightly so that the bars wedge against the abutments and hold the carrier The taper angle and the taper is somewhat exaggerated in the drawings merely to illustrate the construction.

If desired, a spring 128 can be provided between the connecting bar 108 and the lever 114 at one side of the pivot 116, which spring normally holds the latch bars 122 and 124 retracted and prevents them from being inadvertently left extended when the platform carrier is raised. When the cam bars 122 and 124 are properly engaged with the abutments 84, however, they hold the entire assembly rigid and prevent shaking and vibration of the typewriterlifting device including the carrier 16 during operation of the typewriting machine.

It is sometimes desirable to remove the platform carrier 16 and associated parts as a unit, and to this end each of the lower mounting plates 24 and the vertical channels 105 are made in two separate upper and lower parts. The lower parts of the plates 24 which carry the latches 90 and the lower parts of the channels 105 are separately removable and normally are fastened to the desk by the screws 32. However, when the screws 32 are removed, the lower portions of the mounting plates 24 and their adjuncts also can be removed, and this permits the entire platform carrier with the attached brackets 46 and the associated bearings 48 and 50 to be pulled forwardly from the horizontal channels 40 and out of the pedestal 12. Manifestly, this can be done without disturbing any parts of the device other than those specifically mentioned above. it will be readily apparent that the platform carrier can be reinstalled as an operative part of the device by reversing the described procedure.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that the structure here shown and described achieves the objects of the invention. The platform carrier 16 for the typewriter is maintained in an essentially horizontal position at all times, thus making it unnecessary to anchor the 7 typewriter to the carrier and eliminating the necessity of storing the typewriter in an inverted position which frequently throws the typewriter out of line and results in unnecessary service and expense. By leaving the tyrewriter free on the platform carrier 16, the typist is able to move the typewriter about within relatively wide limits and thus adjust it to the most convenient position for typing. The carrier 16 may be easily and quickly moved from the stored to the open position and means is provided for compensating the weight of the typewriter during lifting thereof. When the platform carrier 16 is in the fully raised, operative position, the manually operated cam latch holds it rigid and prevents vibration. All of the mechanism is out of the way, leaving ample leg room under the carrier and the door 19 swings to the outside, providing a modesty shield for the typist.

Typewriter-lifting devices of the type here under consideration and the desks in which they are mounted usually are manufactured by different companies, and it is particularly significant in this connection that the instant F device is easy to install. As suggested, the entire mechanism can be installed through the front opening of the desk pedestal, and it is not necessary to remove the top or otherwise disassemble the desk in order to install the device. This not only facilitates installation but it substantially reduces the time required for installation and thus labor costs inherent in installation. Different operating units of the device can be easily and quickly disassembled for replacement or repair.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A. typewriter-lifting device for mounting a typewriter in the pedestal of a desk comprising a horizontal platform carrier unit adapted to support a typewriter thereon; means permitting vertical movement of said carrier unit comprising vertical ways at opposite sides thereof, and vertically movable members on said carrier unit at opposite sides thereof having guides disposed in and movable along said vertical ways; means permitting horizontal movement of said carrier unit comprising horizontal ways on and movable with said members, and brackets fastened to the carrier unit having guides disposed in and movable along said horizontal ways; means for releasably holding said carrier unit in a lowered position; spring means carried by said desk above the carrier unit and connected to said carrier unit normally tending to raise the same; stop means adjacent the upper ends of said vertical ways engageable with said carrier unit to limit upward movement thereof; and clamping means on said carrier unit for clamping said carrier unit securely to said stop means, second vertical ways disposed side by side with respect to said first-mentioned vertical ways, and other guides on the carrier brackets positioned to enter said second vertical ways when said carrier unit is at the forward limit of its horizontal travel and co-opcrating with the guides on said vertically movable member to steady said carrier unit during ertical travel there of, said second vertical ways being in the form of channels and said channels engaging downwardly against said other guides as the carrier unit approaches the forward limit of its horizontal travel to prevent upward movement of said unit until said other guides enter said second vertical ways.

2. A typewriter-lifting device for mounting a type writer in the pedestal of a desk comprising a horizontal platform carrier unit adapted to support a typewriter thereon; means permitting vertical movement of said carrier unit comprising vertical ways at opposite sides thereof, and vertically movable members on said carrier unit at opposite sides thereof having guides disposed in and movable along said vertical ways; means permitting horizontal movement of said carrier unit comprising horizontal ways on and movable with said members, and brackets fastened to the carrier unit having guides disposed in and movablc along said horizontal ways; means for releasably holding said carrier unit in a lowered position; spring means carried by said desk above the carrier unit and connected to said carrier unit normally tending to raise the same; stop means adjacent the upper ends of said vertical ways engageable with said carrier unit to limit upward movement thereof; and clamping means on said carrier unit for clamping said carrier unit securely to said stop means, said holding means comprising spring-loaded latcber having cam surfaces disposed in the path of travel of said horizontal ways, said cam surfaces being engageable by the ways as the carrier unit approaches the lower limit of its vertical travel and being operable by said ways to interengage the latches with the Ways whereby to hold said carrier unit in said lowered position, the guides which travel in said horizontal ways being engageable with said latches to disengage the same from said horizontal ways as said carrier unit approaches the forward limit of its horizontal travel, and including vertical channels defining second vertical ways, and other guides on the carrier brackets positioned to enter said second vertical ways when said carrier unit is at the forward limit of its horizontal travel and co-operating with the guides on said vertically movable member to steady said carrier unit during vertical travel thereof, said vertical channels engaging downwardly against said other guides as the carrier unit approaches the forward limit of its horizontal travel to prevent upward movement of said carrier u'nitat the instant said latches are released from said horizontal channels and until said other guides enter said second vertical ways.

3. A typewriter-lifting device for mounting a typewriter in the pedestal of a desk comprising a horizontal platform carrier unit adapted to support a typewriter thereon; means permitting vertical movement of said. carrier unit comprising vertical ways at opposite sides thereof, and vertically movable members on said carrier unit at opposite sides thereof having guides disposed in and movable alongsaid vertical ways; means permitting horizontal movement of. said carrier unit comprising horizontal ways on and movable with said members, and brackets fastened to the carrier unit having guides disposed in and movable alongsaid horizontal ways; means for releasably holding 'said 'carrier unit in a lowered position; spring means carriedby said desk above the carrier unit and connected to said carrier unit normally tending to raise the same; stop means adjacent the upper ends of said vertical ways engageable with said carrier unit to limit upward movement'thereof; and clamping meanson said carrier unit for clamping said carrier unit securely to said stop -means, said-holding means comprising spring-loaded latcheshaving cam surfaces disposed in the path of travel'of said horizontal ways, said cam surfaces being engageable-by the ways as the carrier unit approaches the lowerlimit of its vertical travel and being operable by said ways to interengagethe latches with the ways whereby to hold said carrier unit in said lowered position.

4.- A typewriter-lifting device for mounting a typewriter in the pedestal of a desk comprising a horizontal platform carrier unit adapted to support a typewriter thereon; meanspermitting vertical movement of said carrier unit comprising vertical ways at opposite sides thereof, and vertically movable-members on said carrier unit at opposite :sides thereof having guides disposed in and movable alongusaidvertical ways; means--permitting horizontal movement of said carrier'unit comprising horizontal ways ontand :movable-witlr said members, and brackets fastenedto thecarrier unit having guides disposed in and movablealong said horizontal-ways; means for releasably holding saiducarri'er unit in a lowered position; spring means carrier by: said desk above the carrierunit'and connected :to' said carrier. unit normally tending to raise the 'same; stop means-adjacent the upper ends of said verticabways engageable with-said carrier unit to limit upward movement thereof; and clamping-means on said carrier unit for clamping saidcarrier unit securely to said stop means,"said holding means comprising springloaded latchesh'aving caml surfaces disposed in the path oftravel of said horizontal ways, saidcam surfacesbeing engageablefby the ways as the carrier unit approachesthe lower limit .of its vertical travelandbeing operable by saidwaysto interengage the latches with'the ways; where by to hold. saidcarrier unit in said lowered position the guides whichltravel in said horizontaliways being engageable with said latches to disengage-the same from saidlh'orizontal ways as said carrier unit. approaches .Ihfi forward limit of its horizontal travel.

5. A typewriter-lifting device for mounting a typewriter in the pedestal of a desk comprising a horizontal platform carrier unit adapted to support a typewriter thereon; means permitting vertical movement of said carrier unit comprising vertical ways at opposite sides thereof, and vertically movable members on said carrier unit at opposite sides thereof having guides disposed in and movable along said vertical ways; means permitting horizontal movement of said carrier unit comprising horizontal ways on and movable with said members, and brackets fastened to the carrier unit having guides disposed in and movable along said horizontal ways; means for releasably holding said carrier unit in a lowered position; spring means carried by said desk above the carrier unit and connected to said carrier unit normally tending to raise the same; stop means adjacent the upper ends of said vertical ways engageable with said carrier unit to limit upward movementithereof; and clamping ineanson said carrier. unit for clampingsaid carrier unit securely to said stop means, second vertical ways disposed side' by side with respect to said first-mentioned vertical ways,

and other guides on the carrier brackets positioned ito enter said second vertical ways when said carrier unit is at the forward limit of its horizontal travel and co-operating with the guides on said vertically movable member to steady said carrier unit during vertical travel thereof.

6. A typewriter-lifting device for mounting. a type writer in the pedestal of a desk comprising inner and outer vertical ways on each side of the pedestal, vertically movable members at opposite sides of the pedestal each'havin'g vertically spaced rollers disposed in and movable along respective inner vertical ways, horizontal ways fixed to said vertically movable members, a platform carrier for a typewriter provided at opposite sides thereof with a pair of horizontally spaced rear rollers disposed in and movable along said respective horizontal ways and forward rollers positioned to register with said outer vertical Ways when said carrier is at the forward limit'of its horizontal travel, said rear rollers adapted to travel only in said horizontal ways and said forward rollers adapted to travel in the outermost of said vertical ways, spring means carried by said desk above the carrier unit and connected to said vertically movable members yieldably resisting downward movement thereof in said vertical'ways, latch means for holding said carrier in a lowered position against the action of said spring means, and means fordetachably fastening said carrierin a fully raised position.

7. Ina typewriter lifting device of the type adapted to support a typewriter on a desk or the like having vertical ways at opposite sides of said desk and a carrier including a vertically movable portion having horizontal Ways and guides movable up and down in said vertical ways and .a horizontally movable portion having guides movablein. saidhorizontal ways, the improvement comprising spring loaded latches-carried by said desk having cam surfaces disposed in the vertical path of travel of said carrier, said cam surfaces being engageable by said carrier as thelatter approaches the lower limit of its vertical .travel and being operable'th'ereby to interengage the latches with the carrier whereby to hold the same in a lowered position, said latches being operable by the horizontally movable portion of the carrier as it appro'aches the forward limit of itshorizontal travel to disengage said latches from said carrier; second vertical Ways on said desk; and guides on the horizontally movable portion of said carrier positioned to enter said second ways when said portion reaches the forward limit of its horizontal travel, said, last-mentioned guides cooperatingwith the guides on the vertically movable portion -of' said carrier to steady the latter during vertical travelthereof, said second vertical ways engaging downwardlyagainst last-mentioned guides as said horizontally movable portion approaches the forward limit of its horizontaltravel to. preventupward movement of said carrier at the instant said latches are released from said carrier and until said guides enter said second vertical ways.

8. In a typewriter lifting device adapted to support a typewriter in a desk and of the type having opposed vertical ways, and a carrier including a vertically movable part having horizontal ways and guides movable up and down in said vertical ways, and a horizontally movable part having guides movable in said horizontal ways, the improvement comprising second opposed vertical ways carried by said desk, and other guides on the horizontally movable part of said carrier positioned to enter said second vertical ways when the carrier is at the forward limit of its horizontal travel and cooperating with the guides on the vertically movable part of said carrier to steady the latter during vertical travel thereof, said second vertical ways comprising separate upper and lower parts and including means for separately and individually mounting the lower parts of the ways, whereby the lower parts of said ways are separately demountable to permit removal of said carrier from said horizontal ways.

9. A typewriter-lifting device for mounting a typewriter in the pedestal of a desk comprising a horizontal platform carrier unit adapted to support a typewriter thereon; means permitting vertical movement of said carrier unit comprising vertical ways at opposite sides thereof, and vertically movable members on said carrier unit at opposite sides thereof having guides disposed in and movable along said vertical ways; said vertical ways being wider than said guides to provide lateral clearance therebetween; means permitting horizontal movement of said carrier unit comprising horizontal ways on and movable with said members, and brackets fastened on the carrier unit having guides disposed in and movable along said horizontal ways, said horizontal ways being tilta'ole downwardly within limits defined by the lateral clearance between said vertical ways and the guides which travel in said vertical ways as the carrier unit moves rearwardly in said horizontal ways whereby to prevent said carrier unit from inadvertently rolling forwardly to the open position; means for releasably holding said carrier unit in a lowered position; spring means connected to said carrier unit and normally tending to raise the same; stop means adjacent the upper ends of said vertical ways engageable with said carrier unit to limit upward movement thereof; and clamping means on said carrier unit for clamping said carrier unit securely to said stop means.

10. A typewriter-lifting device for mounting a typewriter in the pedestal of a desk comprising a horizontal platform carrier unit adapted to support a typewriter thereon; means permitting vertical movement of said carrier unit comprising vertical ways at opposite sides thereof, and vertically movable members on said carrier unit at opposite sides thereof having guides disposed in and movable along said vertical ways; means permitting horizontal movement of said carrier unit comprising horizontal ways on and movable with said members, and brackets fastened to the carrier unit having guides disposed in and movable along said horizontal ways; second vertical ways disposed side by side with respect to said first-mentioned vertical ways; other guides on the carrier brackets positioned to enter said second vertical ways when said carrier unit is at the forward limit of its hor- .izontal travel and co-operating with the guides on said vertically movable member to steady said carrier unit during vertical travel thereof, said other vertical ways comprising separate upper and lower parts, and including means 1 or separately and individually mounting the lower means on said carrier unit for clamping said carrier unit securely to said stop means.

11. A typewriter-lifting device for mounting a typewriter in the pedestal of a desk comprising a horizontal platform carrier unit adapted to support a typewriter thereon; means permitting vertical movement of said carrier unit comprising vertical ways at opposite sides thereof, and vertically movable members on said carrier unit at opposite sides thereof having guides disposed in and movable along said vertical ways; means permitting said horizontal movement of said carrier unit comprising said horizontal ways on and movable with said member, and brackets fastened to the carrier unit having guides disposed in and movable along said horizontal ways; means for releasably holding said carrier unit in a lowered position; a unitary spring assembly including a horizontal shaft above said carrier, a tubular casing mounted for rotation on said shaft, a torsion spring around the shaft inside said casing connected at one end to the shaft and at the other end thereof to said casing, and flexible tie members connected to the casing and to said carrier adapted to wind around the casing when the carrier is raised and to unwind therefrom to tighten said spring when the carrier is lowered; stop means adjacent the upper ends of said vertical ways engageable with said carrier unit to limit upward movement thereof; and clamping means on said carrier unit for clamping said carrier unit securely to said stop means.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said spring assembly includes mounting elements on the ends of said shaft, and means for releasably securing said mounting elements.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said securing means are in the form of brackets having open-ended ways and wherein said mounting elements are disposed in said ways and are removable through the ends thereof, and including removable means normally holding said members in the ways.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 12 including stop means on said casing and advanceable and retracable means on one of said mounting elements selectively engageable with said stop means to hold said casing rotatably stationary on the shaft with said spring means under tension, whereby the spring assembly can be disconnected from the carrier and removed as a unit while maintaining said spring means in a predetermined preloaded condition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 696,565 Horrocks Apr. 1, 1902 1,778,510 Richardson Oct. 14, 1930 1,860,913 Wagenhorst May 31, 1932, 1,933,933 Richardson Nov. 7, 1933 2,215,978 Schad Sept. 24, 1940 2,243,087 Burdick May 27, 1941 2,271,241 Reitzel Jan. 27, 1942 2,473,239 Boyd June 14, 1949 

